Professional Competence of Christian Religious Education Teachers in Explaining Hope in Prayer: An Exegetical Study of Genesis 48:21 at SDN 173318 Lumban Barat

Abstract

This study examines the professional competence of Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers in explaining the theological meaning of hope in prayer, using Genesis 48:21 as an exegetical foundation and focusing on its pedagogical application at SDN 173318 Lumban Barat. Genesis 48:21 captures Jacob’s final words to Joseph, a declaration filled with eschatological confidence that “God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.” This verse embodies hope rooted in divine companionship, covenantal fidelity, and forward-looking faith, elements essential for shaping students’ spiritual understanding. Employing a qualitative descriptive method supported by scriptural exegesis and educational literature, this research analyzes how CRE teachers translate the theological insights of the text into meaningful classroom instruction. Data were gathered through observations, interviews, and document analysis to explore teachers’ pedagogical competence in presenting prayer as an act of trusting God’s ongoing guidance. The findings reveal that professionally competent CRE teachers demonstrate three core capabilities: (1) exegetical clarity, enabling them to articulate the biblical concept of hope with accuracy and relevance; (2) pedagogical integration, shown through the use of storytelling, reflective questions, and contextualized examples that connect students’ lived experiences with Jacob’s faith; and (3) spiritual modeling, where teachers’ personal prayer life and hopeful attitudes reinforce students’ understanding of prayer as relational and future-oriented. The study concludes that integrating exegetical insight with pedagogical skill significantly enhances students’ comprehension of hope in prayer, contributing to their spiritual maturity and emotional resilience amid life’s uncertainties.